Method for the serial application of labels on a tape

Abstract

A method for applying labels in rows on a tape, which can be driven by a tape driving mechanism, for which the labels are deposited in consecutive rows at an applicator, disposed stationary at the tape, on the tape, the tape being advanced partially after or during the deposition of a row of labels by a length section at the applicator in that, by a movable tension, a pull loop is pulled out of the path of the tape downstream from the applicator, while the section of tape, located upstream from the pull loop, is kept stationary, and the tension can be moved stepwise between a starting position and an end position and that, during the partial advance, a step is traveled by the tension roller, the length of which is adjusted by a control mechanism.

1. A method for applying labels in rows on a tape, which is adapted to be driven by a tape driving mechanism, comprising the steps of:
 depositing the labels on the tape in consecutive rows at an applicator, disposed stationary at the tape, 
 partially advancing the tape after or during the deposition of a row of labels by a length section at the applicator by a movable tension roller, such that a pull loop is pulled out of a path of the tape downstream from the applicator, while a section of the tape, located upstream from the pull loop, is kept stationary, and 
 moving the tension roller stepwise between a starting position and an end position, such that during the partial advance, a step is traveled by the tension roller, the length of which is adjusted by a control mechanism. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the step in the partial advance corresponds to a fraction of the path of the tension roller between the starting position and the end position. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of moving includes the step of moving the tension roller in partial steps of defined length and such that the length of the steps during the partial advance represent a sum of a number of partial steps specified by the control mechanism. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 completing a set of consecutive label rows on the tape in a set-producing step, and 
 after each set-producing step, advancing the tape downstream from the pull loop by the tape driving mechanism by one length, which corresponds to the sum of the partial advances of the tape at the applicator, traveled in the set-producing step. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the tape is a packaging film and further comprising the step of, during the advance of the tape by the tape driving mechanism after the set-producing step, applying a section of tape with a set of label rows on articles. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of, after the set-producing step, moving the tension roller back once again into its starting position synchronously with the tape-driving step.